Church of Elwynn

The Church of Elwynn is the successor and continuator of the religious tradition of Treesian Unorthodoxy with a specific focus upon the eponymous goddess whose name has become indelibly linked with Elwynn, the Elw and Elwynnese people..

History

Ancient Elw religion was a dualistic religion between two neither fully good nor fully evil powers, Elu and Aqar. Elu was the god of the Elw (and those west of them), and Aqar the god of the others. Elu is related to Hebrew El (the Elw would therefore be a brother people to the ancient Ashkenazis), and Aqar is related to a Semitic word for "the other".

The Treesian Unorthodox Church came to Elwynn through missionary Hereton, who established the church here in the 1300s. When Shireroth became independent from Tymaria the church in Eliria was elevated to cathedral, with the whole of then Shireroth as diocese. Elwynn was after all the only place in Shireroth where the TUC got a hold.

The Church spread well in Elwynn during the coming years. Churches were established all over the duchy, and the Church became associated with the ducal administration (as it helped with taxation, keeping of records, etc).

When the Babkhan Grand Vizier, Ardashir Khan, became baron, the Church of Elwynn faced a crisis. Babkha and Treesia were, at that time, locked into a long-running and bitter war. Treesia itself had been reduced to the status of an occupied territory, administered as "Babkhan Prinitica" (Prinitica being the contemporary name of Apollonia). The ecclesiastical hierarchy, faced with a victorious Ardashir at the end of the Elfinshi War and his successors after the War of Vengeance were confronted by a difficult decision. Baron Ardashir in particular had sought to appease the various native religious communities by granting concessions and favours to their priests in return for their political support. The most notable of these, "The Donations" of Eliria and Vijayanagara to the cult of B'Caw being a grand example to gain support from Shirekeep. This made it difficult for the Elwynnese clergy to remain in communion with their Treesian parent church. In exchange for administrative and local political power, the priesthood was obliged to remain loyal to the Baron.

Thus, the Schism of 1490 occurred, in 1490 AN, bringing about the independent Church of Elwynn. Eliria's bishopric was elevated to an archdiocese, with dioceses being set up in the new cities. A few years later, the archdiocese split, following the ancient Elw principle of the rule of two, with the Diocese of Ardashirshahr elevated. Traditionalist adherents of the Treesian Unorthodox Church stayed within its structures and, after the final passing of Treesian rule from the Fifth Isle, became eventually known as the so-called Remnant Church of Treesian Unorthodoxy.

Over time the Church took on more of the ancient dualistic tendencies and began to consider the gods of the Treesian pantheon, like those of the Cedrist religion to be distinct attributes of the dual nature of the divine. While keeping the Treesian liturgy, the actual theology became more dualistic, with Elwynn and Lest taking on the role and identity of Elu and Aqar respectively. Often, offshoots of the religion were eschatological, awaiting the union of Elwynn and Lest to bring about an end of the world as we know it.

The shift in theology brought the Free Elwynnese Church, which was at the beginning a pious but anti-liturgical movement in the Church (similar to pentacostalism in Christianity). However, as years passed by, the FEC became more mystical in its tendencies than the CoE. Of course, in Roqpin, the FEC camps are always a lot wilder than the CoE ones.

A major crisis for the Church came in the first independence era. The Church was too associated (guilt by association) with "Free Elwynn" to be accepted in the East, and its churches and organisation was taken over by the Remnant Church until reunification when almost all congregations voluntarily returned to the CoE.

Organization

Clergy and Hierarchy

Clergy are found in four categories:

• Arsaqar (Archsagart): "Archbishop"
• Saqar (Sagart): "Bishop"
• Misen (Missionary): "Priest"
• Near (Novice): "Novice"
• Student

After five years of studying theology and unorthodoxy (triple bachelor's degree, Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Unorthodoxy, Bachelor of Liturgy), the graduate is brought into the clergy as a novice (Elw: near). The period of novicehood is up to three years. Novices may not practise liturgy without supervision. Only when passing certain exams may they be brought further up the hierarchy as misen ("missionary"). A missionary may practise liturgy unsupervised, but they usually head a congregation ("mission", enu misenar) with a group of other missionaries. The congregation is geographical and is usually centred in one church (and sometimes with subordinate chapels).

Missionaries answer to their sagart (akin to a bishop, as the sagart heads a diocese). And sagarts answer to the archsagart. There are only two archsagarts in the Church.

Rules for clergy

Clergy are required to usually wear religious uniforms. They are supposed to uphold the highest morals and be worthy of the highest respect in whatever they do in their private and clergy lives.

Sexual relations outside a committed monogamous relationship are banned, as are displays of nudity outside the same relationship.

Intoxicants such as alcohol, caffeine and other drugs are banned.

None of these rules bind the congregants.

Archdioceses and dioceses

Diocese	Elw	Archdiocese	Founded	Destroyed	Comments
Aire	e. s. Aireon	Eliria	1575	–
Allswell	e. s. Ajumilama	Ardashirshahr	1498	–
Amareazerke	e. s. Amareazerkeon	Eliria	1501	–
Andelarion	e. s. Andelarion	Eliria	1588	–
Ankoolmerinde	e. s. Ankoolmerindeon	Eliria	1535	–
Anun	e. s. Anuun	Eliria	1572	–
Araxion	e. s. Arashion	Eliria	1491	–
Ardashirshahr	e. a. Ardashyrshahyrion	Eliria	1490	1492
Ardashirshahr (a)	e. s. Ardashyrshahyrion	Ardashirshahr	1492	–	Founded as the Diocese of Ardashirshahr in 1490, elevatedto archdiocese in 1492
Asantelian	e. s. Asantelian	Eliria	1672	–
Auchentoshan	e. s. Aqantoshan	Eliria	1497	–
Azeroth	e. s. Azeroosion	Ardashirshahr	1675	–
Azshara	e. s. Azsharajon	Eliria	1570	–	Schismatic 1569–1600
Caligae	e. s. Kaliqajon	Eliria	1499
Chryse	e. s. Ryseai	Ardashirshahr	1690	–
Civitas Nova	e. s. Kivitasnoovajon	Eliria	1495	–
Connemara	e. s. Konymareon	Eliria	1505	–
Corrigible	e. s. Koriqibilion	Eliria	1600	–
Dragonskeep	e. s. Rakirion	Eliria	1569	–	Schismatic until 1600.
Dragonskeep (a)	e. a. Rakirion	Dragonskeep	1569	1600	Schism of 1569. Dragonskeep made an archdiocese, rejoined CoE in 1600. Period as an archdiocese not officially recognized, rather its status as diocese is recognized in accordance with the Compromise of 1600. Its ordinances, etc, throughout the schismatic period however are recognized in so far as legal under canonical law.
Dravotih iker	e. s. Dravotih ikerion	Eliria	1512	–	Founded as the Diocese of Avaldsnes, schismatic 1569–1600.
Echo	e. s. Eqoon	Eliria	1557	–	Schismatic 1569–1600
Elfinshiyehafir	e. s. Elfinshiehafirion	Ardashirshahr	1521	–
Eliria	e. a. Elirion	Eliria	1490	–	Founded as the Bishopric of Eliria in 1338, elevated to Archdiocese in 1490
Eliria	e. s. Elirion	Treesia	1338	1490	Founded as the Bishopric of Eliria in 1338, elevated to Archdiocese in 1490
Eltezion	e. s. Eltezion	Eliria	1506	–
Esterion	e. s. Esterion	Eliria	1624	–
Ezkimas	e. s. Ezkimasarion	Eliria	1510	–
Faizabad	e. s. Faizabad	Ardashirshahr	1512	–
Fenririe	e. s. Fenrireon	Eliria	1496	–
Fieldburg	e. s. Filburion	Eliria	1608	–
Glenfiddich	e. s. Lenfidiqion	Eliria	1498	–
Graignamanagh	e. s. Qaraqnamaqion	Eliria	1496	–
Habrichtsburg	e. s. Havrisburion	Eliria	1499	–
Hampton	e. s. Hamtonion	Ardashirshahr	1625	1657	Covered the Lady Esther Isles
Hrísar	e. s. Risarion	Eliria	1624	1657	Covered Arietta
Huyenkula	e. s. Eanqulion	Ardashirshahr	1500	–
Hyfrost	e. s. Hyfrosteon	Eliria	1495	–
Illumination	e. s. Iluuminion	Eliria	1525	–
Ironstone	e. s. Qurenurion	Eliria	1514	–
Islus	e. s. Ysloosion	Ardashirshahr	1502	–
Jorvik	e. s. Jorvik	Eliria	1631	1657	Covered Jorvik
Kaidere	e. s. Kaidereon	Eliria	1506	–	Schismatic 1569–1600
Ketsire	e. s. Kezireon	Eliria	1542	–	Schismatic 1569–1600
Kezan	e. s. Kezan	Ardashirshahr	1593	–
Kilkadesh	e. s. Kilkadeshion	Ardashirshahr	1501	–
Krieksburgh	e. s. Kyrikysburion	Eliria	1638	–
Kymreonuur	e. s. Kymreonuurion	Eliria	1510	–
La Terre	e. s. Laterion	Eliria	1574	–
Lac Glacei	e. s. Laqlazeon	Eliria	1504	1511
Lashea	e. s. Lasheon	Eliria	1518	–
Lindström	e. s. Lindystyrymion'	Eliria	1585		Covers Natopia (except Arboria)
Mannochmore	e. s. Manoqmoorion	Eliria	1535	–
Meridosa	e. s. Meridozion	Ardashirshahr	1589		In Arboria, total reorganization of the former TUC there into the CoE ranks
Michaelion	e. s. Miqaelion	Eliria	1535	–
Mishalan	e. s. Mishalan	Ardashirshahr	1572	–
Morecorune	e. s. Morkoruun	Ardashirshahr	1533	–
Nafticon	e. s. Naftikon	Ardashirshahr	1597	1600
Nordiskehjem	e. s. Nordiskeheimion	Eliria	1592	–	Covers Normark
Penzeriemaal	e. s. Penzeriemaalion	Eliria	1535	–
Pernetegh		Ardashirshahr	1505	–
Portus Batavii		Eliria	1638	–
Qajar		Ardashirshahr	1512	–
Rekirie		Eliria	1508	–
Relgannan		Ardashirshahr	1589	–	In Arboria, total reorganization of the former TUC there into the CoE ranks
Saint Zor		Ardashirshahr	1603	–
Scoglitto		Ardashirshahr	1638	–
Shahazerke		Ardashirshahr	1502	–
Shirekeep		Ardashirshahr	1600	–
Terror		Eliria	1580	–
Thule		Eliria	1492	–	Schismatic 1569–1600
Tirlar		Ardashirshahr	1589	–
Tylmarinnyn		Ardashirshahr	1589	–	In Arboria, total reorganization of the former TUC there into the CoE ranks
Ventura		Eliria	1514	–
Vijayanagara		Eliria	1495	–	Schismatic 1569–1600
Vinandy		Eliria	1638	–
Wolfraven		Eliria	1493	–	Schismatic 1569–1600
Yaltarfalas		Eliria	1515	–
South Tielion Loki (a)		South Tielion Loki	1569	1600	Schism of 1569. Dragonskeep made an archdiocese, rejoined CoE in 1600, taken over completely by the AD of Ardarshirshahr

Ecumenicalism

After the fall of Treesia, the TUC lost most of its power. There are some communities in Alexandria that are still Treesianist, and in Treesia. The CoE are in communion with these -- in that the CoE recognises the rites of these churches. Given that the Free Church does not have rites, there are no exchange of recogntion of rites. Relations between the two churches are generally good and cooperative.

But as the Church has in the latter century depersonalised the gods, an acceptance that other gods may exist outside of the pantheon has been given credibility. The first the religion to do so was the Babkhan Orthodox Church, the Zurvanist church, where Elwynn is associated with Zurvan, and Lest with Ahriman. In the BOC, the Treesian gods are the same as in Zurvanism, just with different names. From CoE's point of view, it's similar but not quite. It is generally held that Zurvan is associated with one of the four major gods (which one, however, remains under theological debate).

The Froyalanist faith is quite similar to the CoE. For some, it would be seen as a natural evolution of the syncretic nature of the Elwynnist faith to also assimilate the Froyalanders' gods. However, given the very corporeal nature of the Froyalan gods, it is almost theologically impossible for the CoE to reconcile its objection of gods as physical beings with the Froyalanders' insistence that they very much are corporeal. As such, relations between these two churches were strained, and by the end of the Vanic rule, association with the Church of Elwynn had a slight suspicion about it. Church attendance dwindled and former faithfuls either joined the Dozan Bovic Church, the Zurvanist Orthodox Church, or irreligion.

Relations with the Umraist community are very difficult considering the conservatively and militantly monotheistic nature of that community in Alalehzamin. With the Amokolian Orthodox Church (Nazarene church) and with the Dozan Bovic Church, relations are more cooperative but only on a social/community level, never on a religious one. Though the apotheosis of Elijah in the Bovinism has leant support for his sainthood in the CoE as well.

Conception and Representation of the Divinity

Just as one cannot speak of a truly unified Church of Elwynn, one cannot speak truthfully on one consistent and unified position on the depiction of Elwynn.

Generally, there are two broad schools of thought; Treesian Allegorical' and Democratic Realism.

The Treesian Allegorical tradition is strongest in the precincts of Feudal/Eastern Elwynn where the Remnant Church took root during the independence era; it regards the depiction of Elwynn as a human form to be an example of crass anthropomorphism (to quote one latter-day Sagart: "If those damned fools and lackeys of the Eliria Clique were horses, they'd no doubt daub their crude images of the Highest Divinity in the form a brood mare"). Depictions of Elwynn in the religious art of the Remnant Church tend therefore to depict to focus on the symbolic, typically stylised arrangements of white orchids (sometimes intertwined with black orchids to remind of Lest and the essential duality of the faith). Some depictions can be highly abstract (think variations on the theme of Ying and Yang or some of the more innovative forms of Islamic calligraphy where words are placed in intricate arrangements that form shapes).

Democratic Realism on the other hand gained popularity in the West during the latter days of the independent union-state and the subsequent coordinated state when the Goddess was conflated with the spirit of liberty and the cult of constitutionalism when the Constitution was declared too holy to be viewed by mortal eyes and could only be interpreted by the Augur of Democracy. Elwynn is then depicted presiding ethereally over some morally uplifting depiction of virtuous human progress or noble struggle (think of a socialist-realism or Minerva as the personification of liberty, other variations would include art-deco, or neo-classical depictions of the same. Emphatically not high-fantasy or elvish as the Froyalanish images depict).

In both traditions the depiction is seen as metaphorical rather than a representation of the actual. The faithful may regard Mount Yaanek as a sacred site and receive the prophetic utterances derived from that place with more faith/credulity than would be usual, but they still tend to look askance (albeit politely and quietly) at the tendency of the present royal family to rope the goddess into their crown ceremonial (there is usually a game of 'guess the actress' which spikes on the Elwnet every-time a royal event is carried on the networks).